Senator Marcellino Announces Regional Energy Policy Workshop

May 9, 2006, New York, NY – Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset) today announced that state and provincial officials from the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada will convene to discuss strategies for tackling critical energy-related issues facing the region – including finding ways to reduce the region’s dependence on foreign oil, promote conservation and energy efficiency, and encourage the adoption of greenhouse-gas reduction programs, among other objectives.

"It is only a matter of time before skyrocketing home heating oil costs assault the quality of life for our families. This means once again, seniors will be faced with the challenge of heating their homes while living on fixed incomes, and small businesses will see their bottom lines impacted by factors they cannot control," said New York State Senator Carl Marcellino, Co-Chair of the CSG/ERC Energy & Environment Committee and Chair of the New York Environmental Conservation, Housing and Agriculture Budget Subcommittee. "The CSG/ERC workshop will provide a forum to discuss the issues that will impact the costs of energy. These discussions could have a real result for consumers during these difficult and trying times."

The meeting, sponsored by the Council of State Governments/Eastern Regional Conference (CSG/ERC), will bring together a range of experts from business, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Topics include the medium-term outlook for heating oil, natural gas and propane; new developments in clean coal technology; the future of nuclear power; strategies for maximizing the production of renewable energy in the region; energy efficiency and natural gas conservation programs; and developing a sustainable transportation policy.

Record fuel prices have lent special urgency to energy-related issues in statehouses across the U.S. in recent months, as businesses and consumers have struggled to keep pace with the rising costs of heat, electricity, transportation and scores of other activities impacted by higher energy prices. The price of fuel set records during the winter of 2005-2006, leaving many Northeast families struggling to pay their heating bills. Record numbers of families in various states turned to funding from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and help from non-profits.

Massachusetts Representative James Marzilli, Vice-Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, and Co-Chair, CSG/ERC Energy & Environment Committee said, "It is critical for state and provincial leaders to share ideas for creating a sustainable energy future in a carbon constrained world. Measures that promote energy efficiency and conservation, and accelerate the production of renewable sources of energy, have the dual benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and easing our dependence on foreign oil. This meeting is a unique opportunity to strategize on these issues."